I'll be back greater and stronger: Rudisha

The world and Olympic 800m record-holder David Rudisha has said he is determined to make a great comeback by reclaiming the world title this year in China before defending his Olympic title in Rio 2016.

Rudisha, who competed for Kenya last at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland in July where he won silver, said he has already started intensive training in Iten.

The 26-year-old athlete said he intends to switch to speed wok in February before eyeing two 800m races starting with the IAAF Melbourne World Challenge in Australia on March 21.

“I am currently doing my hill work speed and fat-leg training in search of endurance,” said Rudisha. “With time, I'll switch to track for speed work which is the most important part.”

Unlike when he used to warm up for his season with 400m races, Rudisha said he will focus on 800m only this season.

“That is not to say I'm unwell. The good news is that my training is going on well without any problems,” added the former world champion.

INJURY

Talking about his recovery from a knee injury that saw him fail to defend his World title at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, Rudisha noted that even though an injury can heal well physically, the biggest challenge lies on the psychological part of recovery.

Rudisha hit the track again last season, winning two Diamond League events in New York and Glasgow in June and July respectively before making a return in Glasgow to settle for silver at the Commonwealth Games behind Botswana's sensation Nijel Amos.

“There is always that psychological problem that strikes the mind reminding you of the injury and it takes time to disappear,” said Rudisha adding that his main challenge has been missing a lot in training when he took a break.

“One tends to lose shape and fitness and regaining it is a daunting task,” added the Olympic champion.

Rudisha said even though last year wasn’t a busy season for athletes where they opted to run tactically rather than going for good times, it was period for him to rise again.

“There were good times from 2009 to 2013 with athletes clocking 1:40 and 1:41 but 2014 was a break year with nothing much,” noted the 26-year-old, who improved on his world record with new time of 1:40.91 with his Olympic victory in London. “But my target was to finish the 2014 season with a sub 1:42 and I achieved that.”

Rudisha says he was particularly impressed by Fegusson Rotich - who won the 800m nationals last year. “He is coming up well and he is destined for good things with more hard work and focus,” said Rudisha.